What
to Say to Young ArtistsTalk with children about art. The art they are creating and the art all around them. Notice the way art is used in everyday life.
Art all around us.
How does design affect the:
- homes we live in
- cars we drive
- clothes we wear
- books we read
- movies we watch
Introduce art vocabulary to children. Look for lines, shapes/forms, colors, textures, patterns, repetition, and balance. Share opinions and what personal preferences are based on. Urge children to consider ways they could change the design of man-made items. Look for lessons from nature that could improve human designed items.
"Look
what I made!"
When children say, "Look what I made!" show your interest. Encourage them
to describe how they created their art. Children are eager to show adults
their creations. How can you respond so they are motivated to explore
the arts further?
- Remember to reflect their enthusiasm.
- Take their work seriously!
- Encourage children to be confident about their art.
- Inspire them to improve their skills with practice.
- Encourage them to try new ideas and different approaches.
Great conversation starters!
Here are some great "discussion starters" that will encourage children
to open up. Try some of these statements and questions and get that conversation
going!
Show appreciation: "Thank you for showing me your creation." "I'm so glad you want to share your art with me."
Demonstrate genuine enthusiasm: "What an imaginative idea!" "You're starting to use colored pencils in a different way than before!"
Describe
what you see (artistic qualities): "It looks like you…used lots of
red here, and a little blue in the bottom corner." "The lines you drew…move
all around the page." "This reminds me of… (another artist's style or
a child's earlier work)." Especially with young children, avoid asking
"What is it?" Their creation may be an experiment in pattern or color,
and not a picture of the family dog!
Ask how the child achieved an artistic effect: "I'm wondering how you…got these little pieces of clay to stick out like that." "Please explain to me what you did to…"
Dig a little deeper: "Tell me more about what you've done." "I'm curious how you got this idea."
Comment on how the child worked: "I saw you concentrating on your painting." "You had a smile on your face the whole time you were drawing!"
Sometimes, suggest extensions (after showing support and hearing the child's explanations): "I wonder what would happen if you tried…."
An encouraging adult can make a world of difference. Support your children's innate desire to learn and to express ideas. Be a mentor and a role model. Help children develop to their full potential.
